Athletissima at the Heart of the Forum de l’Hôtel de Ville
This year, marking the 50th edition of Athletissima, is the perfect occasion to relive the greatest moments of the legendary athletics meeting through a special exhibition at the Forum de l’Hôtel de Ville in Lausanne. From August 13 to September 6, visitors will discover dozens of striking photographs capturing highlights from 1977 to today, along with a wide selection of videos and other engaging displays—all accompanied by concise captions and commentary.
This long-prepared exhibition promises to showcase what makes Athletissima truly exceptional: a passion for performance, reinforced by the strong bonds within its extended family—from athletes and volunteers to organizers and loyal sponsors.
Athletissima is deeply rooted in the local, regional, and international landscape. Nearly all the greatest champions of their time have competed here at least once. Many returned again and again—icons like Usain Bolt, Armand Duplantis, and Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Earlier legends such as Edwin Moses, Dwight Stones, Carl Lewis, Heike Drechsler, Yelena Isinbayeva, and Anita Protti also left a lasting impression, as have the Swiss women’s 4x100m relay teams over the past twelve years.
From its early days in Vidy—where two editions were held in its inaugural year—to its current home at La Pontaise, the meeting has grown steadily to become one of the world’s top five athletics events. Now sold out each year, Athletissima has evolved from spectators standing on grassy slopes close to the athletes, to a full-fledged stadium experience enhanced with light pacing technology, giant screens, music, fireworks, detailed statistics, and more. This remarkable evolution is fully documented in an exhibition not to be missed.
